'My Country'

Andy Wong/Associated Press
LOPEZ LOMONG speaks at an interview in Dalian, Liaoning province, China. He will be leading the U.S. in the Olympic opening ceremonies in Beijing tonight.

Lopez Lomong proves Americans come in many different stripes

Ever since Joseph "Lopez" Lomong was in 10th grade, his foster parents said that he wanted to represent his country.

Tonight, this adopted son of Central New York and the pride of Tully, is to get his chance. Barring the unforeseen, Lopez will carry the American flag in opening ceremonies of the Olympic games in Beijing.

As many as four billion people may glimpse this tenacious young man, who already has tasted sweet victory -- far beyond what he might accomplish in the 1,500-meter race Aug. 15.

He has won the race of survival -- triumphing over a vicious war in Sudan, separation from his family at age 6 by the Sudanese government that attempted to recruit him to join its army, and 10 years in a refugee camp in Kenya.

His harrowing course led him into the arms of foster parents Robert and Barbara Rogers, and to a home in Tully in 2001. His gold medal was -- America.

And the 23-year-old acknowledges his good fortune.

"When I was in the camp, I didn't know what my goals were. I thought I would be there for the rest of my life. But with God, he just kept me focused and I got a chance to come to the U.S., this land of opportunity," he told The Post-Standard's Maureen Sieh.

Even his quest to win the 1,500 is viewed from a prism of patriotism. He will compete in China "for my great country."

Interestingly, all three young men who are running in the 1,500 for the United States are naturalized citizens -- Lomong; Bernard Legat, originally from Kenya; and Leo Manzano, from Mexico.

It is doubtful that many will question whether Lomong and his teammates are true Americans -- perhaps their Olympic status and potential to bring home the gold exempt them from such debate.

Assessing who is American and/or patriotic has become an unfortunate constant in the public discourse -- featured most prominently in the blogosphere. This has been especially true since the nation began giving serious consideration to electing its first African-American candidate, born of a Kenyan father.

But no race, political party or gender can lay claim to being American. Neither is there a gatekeeper of patriotism -- haughtily deciding who is "in" and who is "out."

As writer James Baldwin said: "I love America more than any other country in this world, and exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually."

The Chinese -- for all of their carefully scripted smiles during the Olympics -- do not possess such rights. Yet they will undoubtedly profess patriotism and love of country, on demand. They have no right to speak freely.

When Lopez Lomong proudly cradles the flag of his nation tonight, the world will be watching.

They will see a proud American -- cheered on by other proud Americans of every hue and political view.